Collapsible roller



y 1960 c. MARTIN 2,935,270 COLLAPSIBLE ROLLER Filed June 4, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. (3r flaw 2172 ATTORNEYS nited States Patent COLLAPSIBLE ROLLER Cy Martin, Douglaston, N.Y.

Application June 4, 1956, Serial No. 589,047

11 Claims. (Cl. 242-552) This invention relates to small, collapsible rollers or rotatable supports, and more particularly to rollers or rotary supports of the type adapted to carry rolls of paper such as toilet tissue and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved and simplified collapsible roller for use with existing paper holders, which roller greatly facilitates and simplifies the operation of removing the empty paper core and replacing the same with a full roll of paper.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved collapsible roller as above set forth, wherein the operation of removal and replacement is extremely simple and easy to understand.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved collapsible roller in accordance with the above, which is characterized by relatively few, easily fabricated components.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved collapsible roller of the above type, which is reliable in use and not likely to get out of order easily.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved collapsible roller adapted to provide various degrees of restraint or braking action on the paper roll carried thereby.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved collapsible roller in accordance with the above, which has a novel hinge action to release it from the holder.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved collapsible roller which may be used with a wide variety of types and styles of holders.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a novel collapsible roller having all of the above advantages and which is nevertheless simple and economical to fabricate or produce.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts wherever possible in the several views, in which:

Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of an improved collapsible roller made in accordance with the invention, shown positioned in a holder and carrying an empty paper core.

Fig. 2 is an axial sectional view of the roller of Fig. 1, with the paper core being collapsed prior to removal of the holder.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 2 but showing the roller further collapsed and ready to be removed from the holder.

Fig. 4 is an axial sectional view of a collapsible roller made in accordance with the invention but illustrating another embodiment thereof.

Fig. 5 is an axial sectional view of a collapsible roller illustrating still another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of a portion of a collapsible roller, showing a further modification of the invention.

2,935,270 Patented May 3, 1960 Fig. 7 is a view like Fig. 6 but illustrating yet another modification.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of a collapsible roller showing yet another modification.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating still another modification.

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are fragmentary axial sectional views illustrating modified forms of bearing means on the end members of the rollers.

Fig. 13 is an axial sectional view of a roller illustrating yet another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, the improved collapsible roller of this invention comprises a pair of axially-aligned end members 20 and 21 having bearing means in the form of projections 22 and 23 respectively, adapted to be received in, and to turn in recesses 24 of a holding device 25. The end members 20 and 21 have coupling portions 26 and 27 respectively, disposed in opposite relation to each other, said coupling portions being shown as in the form of axially-aligned shanks projecting toward each other.

By the present invention I provide a novel and improved coupling means in conjunction with the coupling portions 26 and 27 of the roller, to enable the end members 20 and 21 to have relative arcuate movement whereby said members may be swung or hingedly shifted to collapse the roller and remove it from the holding device 25. This coupling means may have various forms and specific functions, in addition to the general function of providing a hinged connection. In Figs. 1-3 the coupling means comprises a helical coil spring 30, the ends of which are carried on reduced portions 31 and 32 of the shanks 26 and 27 respectively. Also, the coupling means comprises an extension 33 on the reduced shank 32, having an elongate, axially-extended slot 34 provided with a cut 35 in its wall. A second extension 36 is provided on the reduced shank 31, such extension 36 passing through the slot 34 of the extension 32 and also having a slot 37.

It will be noted that assembly of the parts 33 and 36 may be accomplished by passing the extremity of the ipart 36 through the cut 35 in the part 33. For this purpose sufiicient clearance is provided between the compression spring 30 and the portions 32 and 33 of the shank 27, to permit passage of the extremity of the shank part 36 through the spring and through the cut 35, thereby to enable said extremity to be brought into the slot 34. Preferably, when the various components are assembled as shown in Fig. 1, the spring 30 is under a slight amount of compression, whereby it will retain the slotted parts in the relative positions shown, and maintain separated the end members 20 and 21.

In actuating the collapsible roller shown in Figs. 1 3 to remove the same from the holder 25 upon exhaustion of the paper, it is merely necessary to squeeze together the center portions of the cardboard core 39 which formed part of the paper roll, as shown in Fig. 2, and thereafter to hingedly collapse the roller as shown in Fig. 3, whereupon it may be readily removed from the holding device 25. It will be readily understood that such operation may be simply and quickly performed, and does not require any unusual strength in the fingers, or any special skill on the part of the user.

Assembly of the roller to a new roll of paper is accomplished in the usual manner, by slipping the roller through the cardboard core of the paper roll, and then applying the assembly to the holding device 25 while depressing one or both ends of the roller by axial pressure on the end members 20 and 21. Preferably such end members are provided with radially extended flanges 40 and 41 respectively, having rims 42 and 43 by which the core 39 may be supported and properly positioned,

' flanges 40 and 41 providing finger-engageabl'e surfaces by which axial end pressure may be readily applied during the assembling of the roller to the holding device 25.

The roller shownin Figs. 1-3 has a predetermined axial portions 26a and 27a, in which there are embedded the ends of a coupling chain 45 and also a helical compression spring 30. The spring 30 is normally under compression, as eifected by the chain 45, and the latter in conjunction with the spring enables the end members 20a and 21a to have angular collapsing movement'similar to that illustrated in Fig. 3,.whereupon the roller and empty cardboard core carried thereby may be readily removed from the holding device 25. I

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 5, wherein end members 29b and 21b are connected'to each other by a chain 45 and held in separated positions by a helical compression spring 39, the ends of which abut shank portions 26b and 27b of the members 2% and 2112.

To provide a support forthe cardboard core 39, the end members 20b and 2117 have radially-extended flanges 40 and 41b, and a second set of flanges 47 and'48 is provided, spaced from the flanges 40b and 41b and adapted to frictionally engage the opposite faces 49 and 50 of the holding device 25, thereby to provide a frictional restraint on the roller and prevent the latter from having perfectly free turning.

The collapsing movement of the roller shown in Fig. is generally similar to that depicted in Fig. 3, wherein the end members of the roller may have relative arcuate movement.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig.

6. In this figure the reduced extensions 31 and 32 of the shanks 26 and 27 may be made respectively integral, as distinguished from the constructionshown in :Fig. 1, wherein the extensions 31 and 32 are formed as separate pieces and attached to the shanks in any suitable manner as by screwing, soldering, press fitting and the like.

' Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 7, wherein the coupling means comprises'in addition to the spring 30 a pair of elongate chain links 360 and 330, said links being embedded in the shanks 26c and 27c of the end members.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 8, wherein an end member'21d has an integral shank 32d provided with an integral slotted extension 33dand wherein the compression spring 30 is anchored to the shank 32d by the end 52 of the spring passing through the shank and being turned over, as'at 53.

Still another embodiment of the inventionisillustrated in Fig. 9, wherein an end member 21s is provided with an axial bore 54 in which a coil spring 55 is disposed,

4 core 39. Thus the core 39 will ride: on the shank portions 26; and 27 of the roller and engage a much smaller diameter than that of the rims 42 and 43. A retarding or braking efieet is thus provided, whereby theroll of paper may not turnas freely as with the embodiment of Figs. 13 since the roller movement is speeded'up due to its being driven on a smaller diameter by the paper roll.

Another embodiment of the invention similar to that shown in Fig. 10 is depicted in Fig. 11. The difference between these two embodiments resides in the elimination in Fig. 11 of the bearing projections 22 and 23f of Fig. 10. Instead, the flange 41g in Fig. 11 of the end member 21g constitutes the bearing surface which en'gagesthe holding device 25. Thus a large-diameter bearing is provided between the roller and the holder 25, whereas a small diameter bearing is provided by the shank 27g, between the roller and the cardboard core 39. In consequence, the opposing frictional force or moment provided by the flange 41g is greatly increased over the opposing moment provided by the pin 23 in Fig. 10, and as a result a much greater braking or retarding action is provided. 1

Fig. 12 illustrates another embodiment of the inventio wherein a simplification is efiected of the .structure'shown in 'Fig. 10, by the elimination of the flange 41 thereof. In Fig. 12 each end member 21h constitutes a shank of substantially uniform diameter acting asa bearing 'engaging both the cardboard core 39 and also the holding device 25. A desirable economy of manufacture is thus eflected, while at the same time a predetermined amount of retarding or braking action is had.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 13, wherein end members 20j and 21 are connected to each other for relative arcuate movement'by a coupling means comprising a length of flexible rubber hose or tube 60, the ends of which are press-fitted over. shank portions 26 and 27 of the members, as shown. It will be understood that, instead of the rubber tubing a solid bar of flexible rubber may be provided, press-fitted into axial bores in the shanks 26 and 27 such shanks being for this purpose of larger diameter. Also, the entire collapsible roller shown in Fig. .13 may be constructed of flexible rubber, instead of being fabricated-of separate components with the coupling means thereof only constitutin'g'flexible rubber. 7

It will be readily understood from a consideration of the above structures that I have provided .a novel .and improved, simple, reliable and easy-to-operate-collapsible roller adapted to function in conjunction with relatively small rolls of paper or other like articles. The loomponents illustrated in the various embodiments of theinvention are simple and easy to fabricate and assemble, and the various rollers may be manufactured at lowcost. They are characterized essentially by the provision of two end members and a coupling means connecting said members, which permits relative arcuate movement'between the members for the purpose of facilitating removal of and in which a retractile bearing pin 56 is carried, said bearing pin having a slot 57 and being held captive by a cross pin 58 passing through the slot 57 and anchored in the member 212. With thisconstruction the bearing pin 56 may be depressed during the operation of reinserting the roller in the holding device.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated'in Fig' 10, wherein end members 20, and '21f'ha've shank or coupling portions 26) and 27f respectively, in which "there are embedded the ends of the spring 3 0,-such spring the roller from a holding device without requiring movable parts on the latter, or requiring abnormal strength in the fingers or skill on the part of the user.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims and portions of theimprovements may be used without others.

I claim:

l. A collapsible roller comprising apair of axiallyaligned end members having bearing means forfiengagement with bearings of a holding device, said members having coupling portions disposed opposite. each other; and pivot-action coupling means comprising a plurality of rigid and inflexible, non-extensible linked members at least two of which are'respectively connected to said coupling portions, movably joining the said endmembers to' each other and providing for relative 'arcuate'move- .nrents thereof, thereby -to enable the members to bezapplied to and removed from the holding device by relative arcuate movement of the members.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which there is a helical coil spring having its ends rigidly secured to the coupling portions of the end members surrounding said coupling means.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the end members have radially extending flanges adapted to engage an article carried by the roller.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the end members comprise short rods of substantially uniform diameter.

5. A collapsible roller comprising a pair of axiallyaligned end members having bearing means for engagement with bearings of a holding device, said members having coupling portions disposed opposite each other; and pivot-action coupling means connected to said coupling portions, movably joining the said end members to each other and providing for relative arcuate movements thereof, thereby to enable the members to be applied to and removed from the holding device by relative arcuate movement of the members, said coupling means comprising a helical coil spring having its ends rigidly secured to the coupling portions of the end members, and further comprising an articulated link having a pair of rigid parts connected to said coupling portions.

6. A collapsible roller comprising a pair of axiallyaligned end members having bearing means for engagement with bearings of a holding device, said members having coupling portions disposed opposite each other; and pivot-action coupling means connected to said coupling portions, movably joining the said end members to each other and providing for relative arcuate movements thereof, thereby to enable the members to be applied to and removed from the holding device by relative arcuate movement of the members, said coupling means comprising an articulated link having rigid parts connected to said coupling portions, andfurther comprising a helical compression spring, the ends of which engage the said coupling portions.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 in which one of the rigid parts of the articulated link has a slot through which the other part extends.

8. A collapsible roller comprising a pair of axiallyaligned end members having bearing means for engagement with bearings of a holding device, said members having coupling portions disposed opposite each other; and pivot-action coupling means connected to said coupling portions, movably joining the said end members to each other and providing for relative arcuate movements thereof, whereby to enable the members to be applied to and removed. from the holding device by relative arcuate movement of the members, said end members having radially extending flanges adapted to engage an article carried by the roller, and said coupling portions of the members comprising shanks extending from the flanges in directions toward each other.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 in which the bearing means of the end members comprise projections extending axially from the said flanges thereof.

10. A collapsible roller comprising a pair of axiallyaligned end members having heating means for engagement with bearings of a holding device, said members having coupling portions disposed opposite each other; and pivot-action coupling means connected to said coupling portions, movably joining the said end members to each other and providing for relative arcuate movements thereof, thereby to enable the members to be applied to and removed from the holding device by relative arcuate movement of the members, said coupling means comprising a link joining the end members to each other and a helical compression spring surrounding the link and engaging the coupling portions of the end members, said spring being continually held in compression by said link.

7 11. A collapsible roller comprising a pair of axiallyaligned end members having bearing means for engagement with bearings of a holding device, said members having coupling portions disposed opposite each other; and pivot-action coupling means connected to said coupling portions, movably joining the said end members to each other and providing for relative arcuate movements thereof, thereby to enable the members to be applied to and removed from the holding device by relative arcuate movement of the members, said bearing means of the members comprising axial projections, and said coupling portions comprising shanks aligned with said projections, said shanks and projections being of commensurate diameters.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 845,355 Hubert Feb. 26, 1907 FOREIGN PATENTS 459,805 France Sept. 16, 1913 

